5 Signs You Need a Duct Cleaning

Ductwork maintenance is easy to forget since your ducts are hidden behind your home's walls. Dust and mold that build up in and around your ducts can cause more frequent allergies and significantly reduce indoor air quality. Here are five signs you should know that could mean it's time for a professional duct cleaning.

1. Dirty Furnace Interior or Filter

The easiest way to get an idea of the amount of dust and dirt in your ducts is to look inside your furnace. All the air in your system is recycled inside the furnace, so the cleanliness of your furnace is indicative of the state of your ducts. Ignoring the problem for too long can greatly reduce the lifespan and energy efficiency of your furnace as dust and dirt begin to clog its internal components.

You should inspect your furnace by removing its side panel and looking for dust buildup on the coils and blower motor. While cleaning the interior of the furnace yourself may help temporarily, the problem will simply recur if your ducts are dirty and continue to circulate dust-filled air. You should also check if the furnace filter needs to be cleaned or replaced to ensure optimal airflow.

2. Visible Mold

Your ductwork is one of the darkest areas of your home, and condensation in the air often causes moisture buildup in your ducts and the areas around them. Because of these factors, ductwork is one of the most common places in any home for mold growth to become a problem.

Mold spores circulating through your HVAC system will often cause allergy flare-ups and may lead to respiratory issues in the long-term.

Mold that is left unchecked will spread throughout your ductwork until it reaches your vent registers. Visible mold beneath the registers may be isolated growths, but can also be a sign of a widespread mold problem that requires a full-home duct cleaning.

3. Dusty Return Vents

The return vents can be the first part of your HVAC system that sees significant buildups of blockages. This is because they are the entry point for dusty air throughout your home to be cycled back into your system and directed to the furnace filter. It doesn't help that return vents are usually placed close to the floor where hair, pet dander, and other contaminants are more likely to be drawn in.



Your return vents can say a lot about the general health of your ductwork. If the vents are not yet too dirty, it is less likely that blockages exist further within the ductwork where they take longer to develop.

4. Noisy Ductwork

While not all noises from your ducts should be cause for concern, dirty ducts can make a few characteristic noises that any homeowner should be aware of. A vibrating noise is the most common result of blocked airflow, as the pressure builds and causes the duct to begin to shake. This can be caused by a dirty filter or by a large enough blockage of dust and dirt in the duct.

5. Inconsistent Airflow

When there are no blockages in your ductwork, every vent should produce a very similar, smooth flow of air. If one or a few of the rooms in your home seem not to cool or heat properly, there is likely a blockage near one of the room's vents. You may also experience faster airflow from the vents in other rooms, and possibly hear a whistling noise due to the increased pressure around these vents.

Keep these signs of dirty ducts in mind so you can maintain good indoor air quality and keep your HVAC system running efficiently. If you are looking to improve the air quality of your home and reduce allergy flare-ups, contact Carolina Ductmasters for a professional duct cleaning today!